Assignment 3– Think, Pair, Share (C/LMS)

Assignment 3(a) – Think, Pair, Share (C/LMS)

By: Doris Chelam Kasturi & Jennie Tie Yin Yin 

Note: This assignment has been uploaded through Google Doc, and uploaded also to Yahoo Group, my blog (http://dorisck1991@blogspot.com), and official Facebook account (http://www.facebook.com/doris.chelam.kasturi)

1.    Course/ Learning Management System (C/LMS)

1.1     What is it?

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content. 

More specifically, it is a set of software tools for delivering, tracking and managing online training and education. LMS options range from systems for managing training records to more flexible software for distributing courses over the Internet and offering features for online authoring.

1.2   Key Features: 

The key features include student self-service, self-registration, instructor-led training, skill groups management, user notifications and deadlines, manager hierarchies, and wait-list management. Also common in an LMS is an automated testing facility which records answers, grades tests, and keeps all data for later reporting and analysis. Optional LMS features may include a built-in authoring tool, chat boards, and discussion boards.

According to (Ellis, 2009), a good LMS should be able to: (i) centralize and automate administration; (ii) use self-service and self-guided services; (iii) assemble and deliver learning content rapidly; (iv) consolidate training initiatives on a scalable web-based platform; (v) support portability and standards; and (vi) personalize content and enable knowledge reuse.

1.3   Why is it useful? 

LMSs range from systems for managing training and educational records, to software for distributing courses over the Internet with features for online collaboration. Corporate training use LMSs to automate record-keeping and employee registration. Student self-service (e.g., self-registration on instructor-led training), training workflow (e.g., user notification, manager approval, wait-list management), the provision of on-line learning (e.g., Computer-Based Training, read & understand), on-line assessment, collaborative learning (e.g., application sharing, discussion threads), and training resource management (e.g., instructors, facilities, equipment), are dimensions to Learning Management Systems.

1.4    Where can we find it? 

Some LMSs are Web-based to facilitate access to learning content and administration. LMSs are used by regulated industries (e.g. financial services and biopharma) for compliance training. They are also used by educational institutions to enhance and support classroom teaching and offering courses to a larger population of learners across the globe.

1.5    Who uses it? 

Since LMS is widely used in the corporate as well as the education world, therefore it is very likely that companies that need human resource training, as well as students (vastly varsity students) are the ones who commonly interact with LMS on a regular basis. 

1.6    How does it function? 

Most LMSs are web-based, built using a variety of development platforms, like Java/J2EE, or Microsoft .NET. They usually employ the use of a database like MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle as back-end. Although most of the systems are commercially developed and have commercial software licenses there are several systems that have an open-source license.

2.0           Advantages of C/LMS

2.1   Virtual spaces for student interaction

The main advantage of the C/LMS, in terms of tertiary education usage, is that it provides a virtual space for the interaction of students, namely discussion forums, live chat rooms and live web-conferences. This enables students to be connected wherever they may be, thus making it a powerful tool for e-learning.

2.2   Planning, delivering, and managing learning events

In essence, an LMS is software for planning, delivering, and managing learning events within an organization including online, virtual classroom, and instructor-led courses. The focus of an LMS is to manage students, keeping track of their progress and performance across all types of training activities. It performs administrative tasks, such as reporting to instructors, HR and other ERP systems but isn’t used to create course content.

 2.3   Shared usage between users

C/LMS also provides the ability for single course instances to be modified and republished for various audiences maintaining versions and history. The objects stored in the centralized repository can be made available to course developers and content experts throughout an organization for potential reuse and repurpose. This eliminates duplicate development efforts and allows for the rapid assembly of customized content.

Bibliography

LMS Overview and Features. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18, 201, from LMS (Learning Management System) Defined: http://www.nationaltrainingsoftware.com/lmsdefinition.html

Telania, Inc. (n.d.). LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM LMS . Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.eleapsoftware.com/

WikiMedia.Inc. (n.d.). Learning Management System. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_management_system

Doris Chelam Kasturi
A135733
B.Ed TESL (IPGKS-UKM Twinning Programme)
Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Sarawak,
Jalan Bakam, 98009 Miri,
Sarawak.

My Emails : doris_enter@yahoo.com
dorisck1991@gmail.com
Blog: http://dorisck1991@blogspot.com
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